!
She had decided, after a long internal debate, to come to the WWN toward the end of the work day. To avoid getting caught in the misfires of a busy schedule! That would be the best, because lunchtime was meant to be peaceful, and just randomly showing up at any time made her feel uncomfortable. It also didn’t hurt that arriving later created the illusion of seeing less people on her walk up to Octavius’ office. Not that they would be interested enough to actually notice, or even know who she was, but the potential lack of presence was less stress inducing. That was what she told herself.

After enduring a particularly extended and disgruntled stare from his assistant for as long as she could, Rose ducked her head and waited for permission to slip through the office door. When granted, she didn’t even register ‘he was not there’ and ‘would be returning shortly’ until already inside. Oh. She said something else, but Rose's deep desire to not see any other people overrode her curiosity, so she ignored it. She ignored the unprofessional tone as well.

Closing the door behind her, she felt her face immediately begin to burn. Had this been a bad idea? He had sounded angry, in his response to her--- if that was even possible to detect in writing. You couldn’t really tell sometimes, so it could all just be her reading far too much into so few words--- but it was true, she had wanted to see him, desperately so for a bit now, so-- so--- thinking about this was not calming her anxieties. It was just--- she would have to wait.

Not wanting to be intrusive, or get caught touching his things, Rose kept to herself as she waited for Octavius to return. She played with her hair out of nerves, putting it up, and then down, then up again, and then down again until--- she dropped her hands from her hair as the door opened. She felt her face begin to heat up again, and she fidgeted in her spot out of apprehension.

Shouldn't she say something? For someone who had wanted to talk, she suddenly felt very lost for words.